Off Season Thread

This is for all the moves and all the going on during the winter for the Counties

I will start off and give you news about Warwickshire

Warwick have signed Ntini for one of there Overseas Players also they are looking at 20 year old Monty Panesar from Northamptonshire. Panesar was one of the Millenium kids Featured by the Sun but is Out of favour as Jason Brown and Graham Swann are prefered as Spin Bowler for Northants.

Warwickshire have also Released Veteran Off spinner Neil Smith, All-rounder Mohammed Shelkh and also fast bowler Mervyn Betts. also Second Xi players have been released 20 year old Off Spinner Bhavin Joshi 22 year old fast Bowler Nick Warren and 24 year old left arm Spinner Jamie Spiers

Warwickshire have given a 2 years deal to 21 year old Ian Westwood who impressed in the second xi for the last two years.

Worcestershire have signed Andrew Hall for the 2004 season. Hall has Impressed this year despite being with South Africa for part of the Summer. Kadeer and Kabir Ali have signed 2 year deals

Nantie hayward leaves Worcester next week, his reason being that he wants to play for South Africa Again.

Well after taking wickets for fun at Worcs, Alamgir Sheriyar came to Kent and did umm umm not alot. As a result of a bad season, news seems to be he will be released with Essex leading the chasing pack.

Originally posted by marc71178 I never expected him to do much really - was shocked when he was signed to be honest.

He was signed on the reason that he was a genuine wicket-taker who got 70 odd on avg a season, he offered varity being left armed and also signed to try and add some spice to the side in trying to bowl teams tails out (5-10) have scored something like 80% all the runs agaist us this season and espically when teams have been destoryed in the first inngs in the 2nd they go into their shells and we seem to be ineffective in getting them out.

- I just read that Somerset offered Nasser Hussain big money to go there and sort them out but he turned them down. That's why they are now after Ian Ward.

- Northants have signed Martin van Jaarsveld, to replace Hussey. And David Paynter, John Blain, Tony Penberthy and Tom Baker have all been released by Northamptonshire

- C.Sliverwood / R.Sidebottom are being eyed up by Lancs, who in turn have about 5/6 players whos contracts are up (although most of those are expected to be offered new contracts) J.Wood and A Swann are the two biggest names who might miss out.

- Gloucestershire and Kent are both reportedly interested in hiring Wayne Clark as Coach, who was surprisingly sacked by Yorkshire a year ago.

Former New Zealand Test off-spinner John Bracewell, who has coached Gloucestershire to six titles in as many years, is leaving the job to join the national team.

Kent are seeking a replacement for Australian Ian Brayshaw, who has declined an offer to extend a two-year term due to family reasons.

- Derbyshire all-rounder Jason Kerr has been forced to retire because of a persistent shoulder injury.

- Derbyshire Spinner Lian Wharton is the only other player who will not return in 2004 after his contract expired.